Mozambique’s Constitutional Council (CC) is preparing to announce the final results of the country’s October 9 general elections on Monday, December 23, at 3 p.m. local time (1 p.m. in Lisbon). The announcement, to be made by CC President Lúcia Ribeiro, will take place at the Joaquim Chissano International Conference Centre in Maputo, and it follows weeks of political unrest and contested results.
The elections, which included the presidential, legislative, and provincial contests, saw the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (Frelimo) declare victory on October 24, with its candidate, Daniel Chapo, securing 70.67% of the presidential vote. However, the election results still require final validation by the Constitutional Council, and its proclamation is expected to be decisive. The CC’s ruling will be final and cannot be appealed.
Opposition parties, particularly the candidate Venâncio Mondlane, who secured 20.32% of the vote, have rejected the results, claiming electoral fraud. Mondlane, backed by the Podemos party, has called for the annulment of the results, urging the Constitutional Council to “restore electoral truth.” Mondlane’s call has led to widespread protests and violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces. At least 130 people have died in the unrest, with more than 2,000 others injured. Reports also indicate that 385 people have been shot during the protests, as citizens express their dissatisfaction with the CNE’s proclamation.
The protests were sparked by Mondlane’s rejection of the CNE’s results and his demand for a fairer election process. Mondlane has warned that the outcome of the CC’s ruling will determine the country’s future. “If we have electoral truth, we will move towards peace; if we have electoral lies, the proclamation will lead Mozambique into chaos,” Mondlane declared in mid-December. He has also called for a national shutdown on December 23 to await the ruling.
The Constitutional Council, under increasing pressure, has previously indicated that it would announce the final results by December 23, in line with constitutional requirements. According to Mozambique’s Constitution, the Assembly of the Republic must convene within 20 days of the election results being proclaimed. This deadline is crucial for the functioning of Mozambique’s legislature, as the current legislative term, which began in January 2020, is approaching its conclusion.
Despite the violent protests and allegations of electoral misconduct, the CNE’s results show a significant victory for Frelimo. The ruling party strengthened its majority in the Assembly, securing 195 out of 250 seats, an increase of 11 seats. The opposition Podemos party, which supported Mondlane’s candidacy, emerged as the largest opposition force with 31 seats, surpassing the Mozambican National Resistance (Renamo), which won 20 seats, and the Mozambique Democratic Movement (MDM), which secured just four seats.
The final results are expected to confirm Chapo’s victory and Frelimo’s continued hold on the presidency. However, opposition leaders, including Renamo and MDM, continue to contest the results and call for the elections to be annulled. Venâncio Mondlane has maintained that he will be sworn in as president on January 15, regardless of the Constitutional Council’s ruling.
As Mozambique braces for the Constitutional Council’s announcement, the nation remains divided, with ongoing tensions and fears of further unrest. The final proclamation of election results will be a pivotal moment for the country’s political future, potentially shaping its path toward stability or further conflict.